Surgery of calculous hydrocalyx (calyceoplastic surgery)

A modified surgical technique for calculous hydrocalyx, based on partial calyceal resection with simultaneous correction of the morphological abnormality responsible for stone formation is described. Access to the calyx is gained by a modified marginopolar resection. The modification developed by the authors consists in carrying the resection line laterally to the vertical axis of the kidney. The parenchyma is closed by U-shaped "hair-pin" stitches. Preparation of the limbic, pelvic and ureteral areas is abstained from, thus avoiding scarring which might affect renal lymph and blood flow and interfere with urinary transport. The results obtained in 85 cases of calculous hydrocalyx over an 8-year period were satisfactory. The rate of calculous recurrences was not higher than 3.5 per cent.